2011 EX 2WD in need of performance upgrades

5616 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by gruvncubn, Oct 3, 2011

X-WAV '11

Discussion Starter · Jul 9, 2011

I am searching for anything and everything I can do to the EX in terms of performance upgrades. I've been on various websites looking for cold air intakes, exhaust systems, tuner/programmers, turbos, and am very new to the mod scene. From what I gather, 2009-2011 are the same identical engine but it's still very hard to find anything concrete for this vehicle. Injen said their SP series cold air intake (the only intake I've found for E's) won't work b/c it's only for 2007-08 models. This is starting to get a little frustrating. Any ideas??

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Rob Dobbs

· #2 · Jul 9, 2011

Keep in mind the E is not a performance vehicle. Air filters or "intakes" as they are refereed to will give a little but the cost isnt justified for the gain. You can mod your factory intake box just the same.

There are a couple forum members that installed turbos. Again, its an investment cost as they made it up as they went.

Before you get too involved, is this your daily driver? If so, realize what your sacrificing for some added power and the potential engine loss as a worst case scenario.

X-WAV '11

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 9, 2011

It is the daily driver for my wife. It's a vehicle modified by FMI to be driven from a wheelchair, so I was looking for mostly bolt-ons and simple installs that wouldn't leave her stranded or also leave us with a busted engine. We very much need reliability to be top priority and acceleration improvement a close second. I'll probably hold off on the turbos just seeing from others on the site that have posted their step by step builds processes. This is what I would like to do (so far):

Cold Air Intake: INJEN® SP Series Cold Air Intake System - 2.4L $295.26
Claims 5.6 HP increase
Item Number: 111942
http://www.carid.com/2011-honda-element-air-intakes/injen-air-intake-111942.html

Exhaust: Gibson® - Swept Side Exhaust - 2.4L # GBS-X14001 – $343.71 Claims 10-20 HP increase
Honda Element 2.4L 2006 & UP, Swept Side Exhaust System - Aluminized or Stainless. Notes: 4dr.
http://www.carid.com/2011-honda-element-exhaust-systems/gibson-88610.html

And then I came across something I had never seen before, electric-powered superchargers:

Supercharger: Electric Super Charger 2.5 PSI $225.00 Claims 50-75 HP increase
http://www.engineperformancechip.co...2-5-psi-p-16:c82d38f031449451a38382f5d4895ddc

Supercharger: Supercharger $339.95 Claims 80 HP increase
(Honda Element, 2011, With K&N Style Air Filter, With Fuel Management Chip, With Voltage Stabilizer & Grounding Kit)
http://www.superchargertuning.com/shopping_cart/addProduct?id=1

What gives? I had never heard of these add-ons and do they really work? What kind of added drain does this put on the electrical system? When we got the Element, I thought it would be quite easy to upgrade them given how little they've changed over the model years. I guess all I can do is order the parts and see how they go. Thanks for the reply.

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AztecRol

· #4 · Jul 9, 2011

I would stay away from the two "super chargers" at the bottom of your list.
I would put those in the same category of "snake oil".

As for the Injen CAI, do a search, there are several people that have installed
one on an 09+ E, that is the same as your E.

As for the Gibson, Injen also makes an aftermarket exhaust. I would HIGHLY
recommend getting a Stainless Steel exhaust. SS will last forever, aluminum
will not!! Both have been used by SEVERAL members on the site. Again, do
a search. I have no idea if the exhaust has changed from 08 to 09. If not,
then either the Gibson or the Injen will fit with no problems.

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Rob Dobbs

· #5 · Jul 10, 2011

As mentioned, those "super chargers" are nothing more than an electric fan inline of the air filter.

As per the $300 Injen intake, for 5hp, seriously? Stick with moding the factory box that will not cost you anything but time and maybe a few dollars for the curse jar.

With the exhaust system, its your call but the oem Honda system is unbelievably reliable. Check where those hp gains are on the rpm scale before making the investment.

racerc2000

· #6 · Jul 10, 2011 (Edited)

CAI and exhaust. name brand or hand made is your choice.

mod your airbox by removing the resonators and swapping for a pipe to the fender. add a k&N stock type filter. prolly under 70$ and can be a pretty nice job. looking fairly stock.

the CAI would run between 150-250$ from what ive seen and give you some bling. but performance will be almost identical to the cheaper way

so to sum it up. CAI looks better, home made with K&N filters better and lasts longer.

now on to exhaust. you have gibson and injen and prob a few others. ranging from 300-700$

headers ranging from 350-900$

those are all good options and you can get some nice polished bling to.

headers. there is one made for an element...but it requires mods to fit. most K-swap headers are a pretty close fit right out the box. mine is a skunk2 megapower V2 "copy" its brushed not polished. which as it seems is not made anymore. which is why im trying to get my exhaust guy to make some copys of mine.

but for exhaust a good mandrel bent 2 1/4" exhaust(and downpipe) prolly wont exceed 400$ installed.

reset your ecu and your good to go.

other then that drive by wire gives you issues. no ecu flashes out the box. as of yet. and I really dont think a jet chip would make a real diff besides rev limit and top speed if it was made. honda has a pretty good tune. and the 2007+ maf cars accept mods pretty well.

the funny part is. the most bang for your buck mod would prob be one of the skunk2 carbon fuel rails for 150$ and maybe an intake manifold gasket insulator. before I got mine. after running the car I couldn't even touch the fuel rail

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X-WAV '11

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 17, 2011

I confirmed that the Injen SP1727 will fit for 2011 E's. This is an email I got from Injen:

"The 2008 and 2011 Element engine configuration is identical but we haven’t tested our intake on the 2011 models yet. We know it will fit but until we test it, we don’t know if it will work."

I've found it online at partslet.com for $230:
http://www.partslet.com/product.html?id=injen-cold-air-intake-07-08-honda-element-2-4l

Thanks for all the advice, will probably get the CAI instead of fabbing my own. Only one more question, is it easy to clean the air filter or do you have to take the whole front clip off to get to it every time you want to clean it?

angus5

· #8 · Jul 18, 2011

I have the injen CAI and can positively say it is a big improvement - the difference is that it recalibrates the MAF - altering the A/F ratio.

I would say headers and exhaust for sure and maybe cams for you then.

- myself I am going to do a very low boost turbo (3-4PSI) that will make 30-40 HP - that's it.

Ram4Sam

· #9 · Jul 20, 2011

If you are going past just the simple bolt on stuff, be sure to read your warranty book in detail regarding aftermarket parts and how it affects your warranty. While Hondas are extremely reliable, if your dealer sees any hot rod parts(tuners, turbos, etc.) they can and will void your warranty. I did some mods to my Dodge pickup and Chrysler voided my warranty with a couple years left on it, luckily it never caused me a problem.

Sam

Rodek

· #10 · Jul 20, 2011

I mean no offense here......

I'm not against modifying or boosting performance but I think in this case maybe the OP should have bought a different vehicle. I can't really see how a stock Element even modified for disabled access/driving could be considered inadequate for daily driving. I live in a very warm performance robbing climate and on top of a mountain. The E with 4 passengers and cargo has never lacked the capability to drive in this terrain even when merging on the highway...in bad weather.

It seems as if the money spent on modifications and proposed performance upgrades would be better spent on a Pilot or Ody.

TheBob

· #11 · Jul 21, 2011 (Edited)

Rodek said:
I mean no offense here......

I'm not against modifying or boosting performance but I think in this case maybe the OP should have bought a different vehicle. I can't really see how a stock Element even modified for disabled access/driving could be considered inadequate for daily driving. I live in a very warm performance robbing climate and on top of a mountain. The E with 4 passengers and cargo has never lacked the capability to drive in this terrain even when merging on the highway...in bad weather.

It seems as if the money spent on modifications and proposed performance upgrades would be better spent on a Pilot or Ody.

This forum has the most extreme internet trait -that I've seen-of people giving advice that is never asked for. You are wasting bits, electricity and people's time.

Look, I bought an Element mostly because they have stopped making them, it is a cool little box of a car and it is a great replacement for my Suburban. My one reason for a daily car of this type - carting my bikes around. That said I plan to modify it somewhat for slightly more power. Here you go saying I should not desire such.

Do me a favor, when I start asking questions mind your own business if you have nothing PRODUCTIVE to offer.

Rodek

· #12 · Jul 21, 2011

TheBob said:
This forum has the most extreme internet trait -that I've seen-of people giving advice that is never asked for. You are wasting bits, electricity and people's time.

Look, I bought an Element mostly because they have stopped making them, it is a cool little box of a car and it is a great replacement for my Suburban. My one reason for a daily car of this type - carting my bikes around. That said I plan to modify it somewhat for slightly more power. Here you go saying I should not desire such.

Do me a favor, when I start asking questions mind your own business if you have nothing PRODUCTIVE to offer.

It's quite obvious you've taken offense to my post as is evident in your "extreme internet trait" response. I'll be the better man and choose not to respond in the same manner as you have. Do yourself a favor and realize that others are not as inclined to be as kind. Really.

ramblerdan

· #13 · Jul 21, 2011

> mind your own business
This statement is pushing the limits. Please keep it cool.

TheBob

· #14 · Jul 21, 2011

ramblerdan said:
> mind your own business
This statement is pushing the limits. Please keep it cool.

Sorry, and yes I will.

Rob Dobbs

· #15 · Jul 22, 2011

Bob,

the argument is moot. The only options for a more real power for the E is to:

A: Turbo charge.
B: motor/trans/ECU swap.

Neither are cost effective for a daily driver based on a pre-existing perfectly running E. On either you would be forced to find some work around to met emissions inspection if your state requires this. As mentioned previously, the E is a very well built vehicle. The more you mess with it trying to "get a little more out of it" the chances of that reliability failing are put into question. This is why many add their opinions when asked about getting more power from the E. Its not a vehicle made for power, its a vehicle made to be put to use and to keep going.

Its already been shown by moding the existing air box negates an aftermarket unit and the cost of exhaust is offset by the price for whatever added power you may get on a daily driver vs the revs needed to access that power made by the aftermarket exhaust.

Other things like magnets on the fuel line, a blower fan inline with the air filter/intake, a resistor swap or any other "quick power fix" are all snake oil. If anyone can come up with a reasonably priced, reliable and proven power addition to the E, it would have been here already. Personally I hate to see people dump money into something that they either dont need or will not gain them their expected end result so I'll voice my opinion on it.

For power, I have a stock 69 Cougar Eliminator, another 69 Cougar with a 393 stroker and AOD trans and lastly a 65 Falcon with a late model roller motor and T5 trans thats built to the teeth and sounds like a speed boat. Id love to have that power and torque from the Falcon in the E but I dont see how its needed nor would I want to deal with the legalities of CA vehicle registration and smog certifications much less the cost involved. It goes back to being a moot point.

The E is what it is and it does that better than anything in its class. Thats why were here

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racerc2000

· #16 · Jul 22, 2011

angus5 said:
I have the injen CAI and can positively say it is a big improvement - the difference is that it recalibrates the MAF - altering the A/F ratio.

an air intake only changes the a/f ratio or messes with the maf .... if you dont run the CAI just the SD setup and its not a good change. its one that throws codes.

an intake only smooths flow and introduces colder air instead of hot under hood air

lizzurd

· #17 · Jul 23, 2011

TheBob said:
Couple of things in no particular order:

- Why does this sub-forum exist?

Let me answer that for you.

This forum is here for members to help other members.

Lets stay on topic here.

Rodek

· #18 · Jul 23, 2011

Lowering the weight of your vehicle (if possible) will help. You can delete the spare tire and remove the rear seats.

racerc2000

· #19 · Jul 23, 2011

wheels and tires. for every 10 lb lost at your drive wheels its the same as removing 100 lb from the car itself. performance wise

My X-Wav

· #20 · Oct 3, 2011

I have the exact same modified Element. The exhaust and gas tank are not original or have been modified on the FMI conversion. I don't think a bolt on exhaust will fit.

X-WAV '11 said:
It is the daily driver for my wife. It's a vehicle modified by FMI to be driven from a wheelchair, so I was looking for mostly bolt-ons and simple installs that wouldn't leave her stranded or also leave us with a busted engine. We very much need reliability to be top priority and acceleration improvement a close second. I'll probably hold off on the turbos just seeing from others on the site that have posted their step by step builds processes. This is what I would like to do (so far):

Cold Air Intake: INJEN® SP Series Cold Air Intake System - 2.4L $295.26
Claims 5.6 HP increase
Item Number: 111942
http://www.carid.com/2011-honda-element-air-intakes/injen-air-intake-111942.html

Exhaust: Gibson® - Swept Side Exhaust - 2.4L # GBS-X14001 – $343.71 Claims 10-20 HP increase
Honda Element 2.4L 2006 & UP, Swept Side Exhaust System - Aluminized or Stainless. Notes: 4dr.
http://www.carid.com/2011-honda-element-exhaust-systems/gibson-88610.html

And then I came across something I had never seen before, electric-powered superchargers:

Supercharger: Electric Super Charger 2.5 PSI $225.00 Claims 50-75 HP increase
http://www.engineperformancechip.co...2-5-psi-p-16:c82d38f031449451a38382f5d4895ddc

Supercharger: Supercharger $339.95 Claims 80 HP increase
(Honda Element, 2011, With K&N Style Air Filter, With Fuel Management Chip, With Voltage Stabilizer & Grounding Kit)
http://www.superchargertuning.com/shopping_cart/addProduct?id=1

What gives? I had never heard of these add-ons and do they really work? What kind of added drain does this put on the electrical system? When we got the Element, I thought it would be quite easy to upgrade them given how little they've changed over the model years. I guess all I can do is order the parts and see how they go. Thanks for the reply.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

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